Vacation Blog Contest

I'm on vacation this week traveling in Tennessee and Kentucky!
You can follow my adventures on my blog,
wwww.sherryjamesromanceauthor.blogspot.com,
and if you leave a comment, or two, or more,
I'll put your name in the hat each time for an authentic, rare,
first-run Sherry James T-Shirt! So stop on by and travel along with me!

Sherry James
~~~Books by Sherry James~~~
Eight Seconds--Sept.'09 Ellora's Cave Flavors of Ecstasy, Vol. III
Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge--Black Velvet Seductions
Cowboy Fling--Ellora's Cave, 5 Hearts! Love Romances & More
www.sherryjames.com ~ www.sherryjamesromanceauthor.blogspot.com

12 People Have Won Free Books, Ebooks, Or Story Downloads — Are You One Of Them?

The following people won their choice of paperback, ebook, or relationship story download: amysmith98
joshgranny
birdseatbugs
 The following people won their choice of ebook or relationship story download: 

ymhalf90
mskenyarussel
bonniehoffmaster
donnaeamos
tomarat979

 The following people won their choice of ebook or relationship story download for themselves and a friend: louiesbaby13
debra.a.barlow
bossu49

sarabelle252000

 To claim any of the prizes above please visit The Winner’s Circle at:
http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com/Winner’s%20Circle.html Click on one of the “click here to claim prize” buttons and fill out the form to claim your prize. Please be aware that books purchased through our website are processed automatically…and are therefore available for download immediately after purchase…prize awards are handled manually. I usually process prize claims once a day so there will be a delay between you sending in your claim form and me sending your prize (which will arrive via email attachment).  Please be sure to include your full mailing address including city, state, and zip code if you are claiming a paperback book or if you are signing up for The Freebies List. Both those things require a full mailing address.  

Updated Contest Corner With An Opportunity To Win A Free Paranormal Romance!

As most everyone who reads this blog knows, BVS has an area of our site known as Contest Corner. Contest Corner is where we post news of new contests that we are conducting or that other authors, publishers, review organizations, etc. are conducting. We haven’t promoted the Contest Corner much as an opportunity to authors and so haven’t had a lot of them take advantage. However, as we are networking more on MySpace, Twitter, and other areas online we are beginning to promote Contest Corner more and to hear about more contests and to list them on Contest Corner, here on the blog, in our newsletter, and to promote them through our tweets at Twitter.

What this means for our loyal visitors, newsletter readers, and blog readers is more opportunities to enter to win free books, ebooks, Kindles, gift cards, and other goodies from authors, publishers, review sites and others who are involved in the book publishing world.

Today I wanted to let our readers know about Lucinda Betts’ ongoing weekend contest, for which she gives away a free paranormal romance each weekend.

To enter all you need to do is visit her blog on MySpace and leave a comment on her blog. Each weekend she draws a winner from the people who have commented and sends them a free book. This week she is giving away Lori Handelan’s Thunder Moon. Next week she will be giving away a copy of What She Wants. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to win a free paperback paranormal romance. Visit Lucinda’s MySpace Blog, read her blog posting and leave a comment. If you win she will contact you through your MySpace account.

New Poll — New Topic Of Discussion — Conflict In Romance Novels

I noticed in several of the comments on romance novel plots that people mentioned liking certain kinds of books because the set-up promised a certain amount of tension between hero and heroine.

I’ll admit, I am a fan of tension between hero and heroine. I like a lot of conflict. I am usually drawn to books where it seems like the hero and heroine are so far apart at the beginning that they couldn’t possibly reach a happy ever after ending.

I think in romance that we know there is going to be a happy ending. We want the happy ending (or at least some of us do–maybe that’s a question for another poll).  So…given that we know there will be a happy ending it is fun to see how the author pulls diverse characters together.

I don’t necessarily like the yelling screaming kind of conflict…though it can work in some books. I tend to like more quiet conflict…the kind that sits inside the characters and makes THEM feel like the happy ever after is just not in the cards no matter how much they might want it.

What about you? Do you like a little conflict? A lot of conflict? Is there any such thing as too much conflict in a romance novel? Are there certain conflicts you like…certain ones you hate?

How does conflict play into the types of books you like and the books you buy vs. those you wait to win or buy used?

Free Book Winners For Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16

Well, another weekend has come and gone and we are speeding toward another Friday, which means it is time to announce the latest winners in the Free Books On Friday Giveaway and the Saturday Blog Drawing.

From the subscription list of the Black Velvet Seductions Free Readers Newsletter I have drawn the following names. Each of these winners will receive a free ebook of their choice.

 zingzingzingbah_1986
akveronica60
binkyrides

From among all the comments posted on this blog this week and past weeks I have drawn the following lucky winner. :-) The Saturday blog winner shall receive their choice of a free paperback or a free ebook, their choice of titles. :-)

 rbcb00

Remember…it’s easy to enter…For Free Books On Friday simply subscribe to the Free Reader’s Newsletter. To enter the Saturday Blog Drawing post your comments on the blog. The more comments you make the more entries you will have in the pot. Entries stay in the pot until they are drawn.

To claim your prizes please visit The Winner’s Circle. Click one of the click here to claim your prize buttons and fill out the claim form. Unlike book purchases which are handled automatically and without any lag time between purchase and download of your book, book prizes are handled manually. I usually process book claims once each day so it may be 24 hours before you receive your free ebook.

Enjoy the books!

New Poll: What’s Your Favorite Romance Novel Plot

I’ve added a new poll to the site this week. Please vote. :-)

The question is…what’s your favorite romance novel plot? I’ve listed some of the most common traditional romance plots…but you are not limited to those. If you don’t see your most favorite plot listed simply click other and describe your favorite plot in the comments section.

 I am sure that authors are going to read this wondering what my favorite plots are…so that they can judge what they should send me. The truth is, I like most traditional plots, though my favorites are marriage of convenience, characters stranded together, reunion stories and revenge plots. These are the books that I most often add to the wish list or buy new. My purchase of these KINDS of books is based on the type of book…the type of plot. I will definitely try a new to me author if they’ve written one of these types of books.

Though I like man and woman in jeopardy books and neighbors and heroes and heroines in distress with kids and a whole slew of other things it’s harder to move me to the buy button with those plots than with the ones I listed above.

What about you? What earmarks are you looking for in the books you buy? What types of books are you willing to take a chance on?

Latest Winners — Free Books — Free Ebooks — Are You A Winner?

It’s been awhile since I posted winners of the Friday newsletter drawings and the Saturday blog drawing so I have quite a few names to post this time. The following listing is not in alphabetical order. However, you can go to the Black Velvet Seductions Winner’s Circle and check the listings there which are in alphabetical order.

If you are one of our lucky winners please go here to claim your prize.

Here are the blog winners for this time. These folks entered the drawing for a free paperback or ebook of their choice by posting a comment on one of the posts on the site. Their comment gave them an entry and they were lucky enough to have their entry drawn.

cholub1968
rebelatheart@bel
cleo@hb
sld1@zoo
tbranxiety
juliecasbolt

Congratulations! Please let me know which books you’d like via the claim form 

The following winners have won a free ebook for themselves and one for a friend in the Black Velvet Seductions Reader’s Newsletter Drawing. They entered by subscribing to the reader’s newsletter  They were lucky enough to have their names drawn from among the 1092 current subscribers to the Black Velvet Seductions Readers Newsletter.

Congratulations! Please let me know which book you would like for yourself and which you would like for a friend via the claim form.

laynemom1980
ivybutterfly
zzaslove
w_c_artist
tengel@ver
mistressvinps
akveronica60
andersondwayne_
ashleyhorsfall
dkh265
keizerfire
qikntree
shel@grand
rubijayne
tammerac
teresajb

Ever Been Curious About What a NYT Bestselling Author Earns?

If you’ve ever been curious about what a NYT Bestselling author earns on a book you’re in luck to find out. In this post Author Lynn Viehl author of the Darkyn Series dishes on what it takes to be a bestselling author and what it means to the pocketbook.

Check out Twilight Fall and the rest of the Darkyn (paranormal romance) series.

Call For Submissions — Black Velvet Seductions Seeks Domestic Discipline (Spanking) Stories

Black Velvet Seductions is seeking short, romantic, relationship focused domestic discipline/spanking stories for a new area of its website and for inclusion in domestic discipline anthologies which will be released in paper and electronic formats through all of Black Velvet Seductions’ typical distribution channels. The new area titled “Erotic Relationship Stories” features short stories which have a dual focus. 

The stories should involve a relationship. The relationship should be a romantic one, typically a marriage, dating relationship, or other relationship which either begins and ends with the characters in a committed dating or marriage relationship or ends with the characters entering a committed relationship.  

Stories for this area are focused on both the romantic relationship and the domestic discipline aspect of the relationship that develops throughout the story.  Common scenarios which are popular include: 

First spankings – these stories usually start with one character doing something that vexes the other. In the case of In The Driving Seat by Richard Savage the heroine Barbara has bought an expensive $1500 pair of shoes after the hero has already tried to limit her excessive spending. Vexed, Allen decides that a spanking would set things right. Through the experience of being spanked Barbara thinks about her actions and discovers that what she wants more than anything else is for Allen to treat her like a princess as he did in their early marriage. She conveys this and Allen realizes that he must change too…and that the spanking will clear the slate and allow them to start over with each other.  

Not enough spankings – in some stories one character wants to be spanked and their partner is not into spanking or is into it but is afraid of introducing it. In these stories the conflict revolves around this unmet need. The story is about the characters finding a way to resolve the conflict and incorporate spanking into their lives.  

Not the right kind of spanking – in some stories spanking is practiced as part of the relationship when the story opens, but there is still something lacking. One character or the other needs something different. She wants discipline spankings and he only gives her playful spankings, for example. These stories are about the couple bridging the gap and finding a way for both parties to be happy with the kind of spanking they are doing in their relationship. 

Unfair spankings –  in some stories the couple already has an established relationship in which spankings occur when one party or the other breaks specific rules that have been agreed upon. Domestic discipline is already a part of these relationships…both characters like that part of the relationship. These stories evolve from the spanker making a mistake and spanking when a rule has not been broken. For example, the light bill doesn’t get paid. The hero believes it is because the heroine didn’t mail it…so he spanks her. A week later the heroine discovers the unmailed payment in the hero’s suit jacket pocket. These are typically switch stories in which one character is usually the spanker but changes roles to become the spanked. The story conflict often revolves around rebalancing the relationship after a miscarriage of justice.  

Spoiled brats – spoiled brats abound in spanking stories. Spoiled brat stories incorporate a spoiled brat that the reader believes NEEDS a spanking if ever anyone did. The spoiled brat is paired with a hero or heroine who is willing to step in and do the deed. Often the spankings are a bit coerced. The spoiled brat doesn’t think they need a spanking but the hero or heroine doing the spanking has something they can use to compel them to accept it anyway. For these stories to work for Black Velvet Seductions there has to be an emotional tension between the characters. Their relationship needs to evolve into a romantic one. The spoiled brat needs to eventually see the spanking as a loving act done for his or her own good. 

Some Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q: Do you accept stories in first person? 

A: No, we do not accept any material written in first person. All material for us must be written in third person point of view.  

Q: How long or short can the stories be?  

A: Black Velvet Seductions publishes everything from short stories to very long books. We cannot bind more than 700 pages…which is around 190,000 words.  For the download area we are looking for short stories of 3,000 words and up. Once a piece reaches 25,000 to 30,000 words it would probably be published as a stand alone story rather than as a piece in an anthology so would probably go directly to publication as a stand alone rather than starting life as a download in the download area.  

Q: Is BVS a paying market? What kind of payment can I expect for my story? 

A: Yes, Black Velvet Seductions is a paying market. Short stories for the erotic relationship stories area are listed first as PDF downloads on the BVS site. Most are listed for sale at $2.00. Some longer stories will have a slightly higher price. Black Velvet Seductions pays the author 50% of the price the story is sold for. So if it sells for $2.00 BVS pays the author $1.00 each time a copy is sold. Royalties are paid quarterly, the last day of the month following the close of the quarter…so April, July, October, January. Royalties have never been late.  

Q: Can my characters have sex after a spanking? 

A: Yes, characters can have sex after a spanking.  

Q: Am I limited to hero and heroine in stories or can I do a ménage story with more than one hero or more than one heroine? 

A: You are not limited to one hero and heroine. You may have two heroes, you may have two heroines, you may have two heroes and one heroine, you may have two heroines and one hero. Whatever combination works for your story is fine. Do remember that your story must be a relationship story. It must be about the relationship between characters.  

Q: Does BVS publish any stories where it is the heroine who spanks the hero? 

A: Yes, we publish stories where the heroine spanks the hero. We also publish switch stories where sometimes it is the hero who spanks, sometimes it is the hero who is spanked.  

Q: Is BVS interested in other erotic stories which do not have spanking? 

A: Yes, BVS is interested in erotic short stories (and novels and novellas) which do not have spanking. We would like to see a broad range of stories from vanilla erotic to those exploring fetishes other than spanking.  

Q: I have a story which has a lot of spanking in it, but it isn’t romantic. Is BVS interested? 

A: No, sadly, BVS is only interested in stories which have a strong romantic relationship component.  

Q: I don’t have a spanking story but I have another story I think Black Velvet Seductions might be interested in. What should I do? 

A: The best way to reach Black Velvet Seductions is through email. Contact information is available on the Black Velvet Seductions website under the contact us buttons and links which are on every page. 

Q: Do you have an example of the kind of stories you are looking for? 

A: Yes, actually, In The Driving Seat by Richard Savage which is the first story in the “Erotic Relationship Story” area is a great example of the structure and style we are looking for.  

A Bit Busy — Teaching Deep Point Of View This Week

It’s a bit busy here this week…not that it isn’t always a bit busy. :-) It’s always busy…always more than a bit busy…but is busier this week because I am teaching a workshop on deep point of view (DPOV).

Deep point of view is not really one technique…but more of a mindset and a series of techniques which authors use to write stories which keep the reader grounded in the experiences of the character so that as the reader is reading they know what the character is experiencing physically, emotionally, mentally.

I was asked today for a list of authors who write in DPOV — and my mind went a little blank. Everything that we publish at Black Velvet Seductions is written in deep point of view…but outside of BVS…there are a few authors I named…but my list was pretty short.

I named Sarah McCarty whose erotic western historicals I like a great deal. I also listed Diana Palmer, more for her early work than her recent work, and Linda Howard, Debbie MacComber.

So I thought I would ask you which authors you read that are able to make you feel as if you are in the story experiencing the story along with the character?